fredag 28 oktober 2011

Since it's inception in 1989, Arc'teryx has been a brand known for pushing the boundaries of what can be done, both in terms of clothing manufacture & performance, with the goal to create the best possible product. With the Veilance line, Arc'teryx translates this way of thinking from outdoor apparell to focus specifically on the demands of urban use.

Ido (Arc'teryx Veilance) & Thomas (Caliroots brand manager)

Ido from Arc'teryx Veilance graced us with a visit in the store a couple of days ago, giving us the low-down on the methods of production & the brands extreme attention to quality & detail.

What is the main concept behind the Veilance line & what triggered Arc'teryx to start making apparell for urban use?

Arc'teryx has always been a company driven by our own demands. The laminated harness we developed in 1993 came about simply because we couldn't find a product suitable for our own needs. With Veilance it's the same idea, Tyler (Jordan, CEO of Arc'teryx) & Conroy (Nachtigall, Arc'teryx designer) felt there was a need for a jacket that was as good as one developed for outdoor performance, but designed to suit the needs of a person who lives & travels in the city.

It seems a lot of focus is being put into selecting the right fabrics. Do you work solely with Gore-Tex as your fabric supplier & are you using any fabrics specifically woven for Veilance?

Since the beginning we've always had a very close relationship with Gore-Tex. We have a mutual understanding & drive when it comes to developing new ideas & pushing things forward, sometimes working almost as a testing ground for Gore's latest & most advanced fabrics. For Veilance, some of the fabrics we're using are being released exclusively to us first before being made available to other brands. We do however work with some Japanese fabrics as well, but our main fabric supplier is Gore-Tex.

A lot of brands are designing their collections based on a seasonal idea or concept, often with it's ground in the heritage of mens wear. Does this also apply to Veilance?

Not really. Arc'teryx has always been a technologically driven brand rather than heritage based. Sure, as with any mens wear brand our jacket styles are based on heritage military- & work-wear, but the main point of the design is to build a perfect product. Everything you see in our garments is carefully thought over. For instance, the sleeves on our jackets doesn't go up when you raise your arm, this took two years of developing before Conroy was satisfied with the result. So rather than reinventing the whole line, each collection is based on updating a number of key styles based on color, fabric choice & slight design modifications.

Is everything made in Canada?

Yes, every piece within the Veilance line is made in Canada, in our own factory in Vancouver, just a few blocks from our main office. It is the same factory where we make the products for the LEAF program. LEAF is short for Law Enforcement & Armed Forces. Among other armed forces, we're contracted by the US Marine Corps to produce some of their equipment that they use in the field. It's in this factory that we can test new things & really get to push ourselves even further in order to create products that we can proudly say are the best ever made.

onsdag 26 oktober 2011

Here's a great new deal for all of you contemplating buying a pair of Red Wing boots, as of today we're throwing in a pair of the superb quality leather gloves from Red Wing with every purchase of the brands boots for free! (value €50/SEK 500:-) Online customers: Use code: "GLOVES" + Size (M-L-XL) in the message box at the checkout.

This amazing deal is valid until we run out of gloves, so if you're planning on getting new boots this season, now is the time to seal the deal!

måndag 24 oktober 2011

Tomorrow is when the monthly paycheck drops in to most Swedish accounts & many people make their winter wardrobe investments. Here's a look at our 5 favourites who's pricepoint demand a little more afterthought:

First out is the HS14 Insulated Field Jacket from Arc'teryx Veilance. This classic M-65 style is one of the most technically perfected jackets we've ever come across, incorporating a 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell outer & 140g Coreloft insulation with laser cut, laminated construction which eliminates cold spots. On top of the technically superior construction & classic appearance, the jacket features a massive amount of detailing, including 6 outer pockets & an internal A-4 sized document pocket, making it well worth it's value!

While we're on the subject of jackets, a top quality, classic fit Varsity is one of those pieces that never go out of style & that has the rare ability to get even better as it ages. Heritage Research has created one that is better than any we've ever seen! This 1950's style jacket is proudly crafted in USA using a thick melton wool body, vegetable tanned leather sleeves & wool ribbings & patches, which also happens to be woven by hand on old fashioned shuttle looms!

A quintessential part of a mans wardrobe, a well crafted totebag will never fail you. Levi's Made & Crafted has put together a great one, which works just as well as an over-shoulder messenger style bag. Created using hardwearing canvas & leather, the bag features a large main compartment that folds into a flap & a medium sized outer pocket.

One of our favourite purchases for the colder season is a new pair of raw denim jeans. As you've propably come to realise one of our favourite brands when it comes to raw denims is Japanese Momotaro. Part denim mill & part jeans manufacturer, this Okayama-based brand deals in only the most luxurious, hand crafted products. On top of the great fit & intricate detailing, such as the hidden rivets, triple folded belt loops & single-seam-stitched waistband & patch, this particular pair is created using a heavy 15 oz selvage denim with pure indigo dyed warp- & black sulphur dyed weft threads, giving the pants an even more deluxe look when raw that's guaranteed to fade in a very remarkable way!

Lastly you need a sturdy pair of boots in order to make it through the winter in style! One of the brands that first comes to mind is of course Red Wing, but today we wanted to give you an extra look at the fine footwear from Italian bootmakers Diemme. This family run business was started in 1992 in Montebelluna, an area in northern Italy known for it's superior boot making traditions that date back to 1870. Diemme's Roccia Vet model is a classic trekking boot from the brands Hunting collection, that has been updated to fit a more fashion minded customer, with lighter sole & luxurious leather qualities that makes them perfect for urban use, yet still maintaining the artisanal attention to detail & comfort synonymous with Diemme. This version of the Roccia Vet uses a buttery soft black dyed grain leather sourced from Italian tannery Conceria Emmedue & the flexible & light Vibram Begonia outsoles.

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C Concept Store

The C Store is our premium concept conceived in the summer of 2009. Our main focus at C Store is on high end menswear and accessories with a classic & casual feel, represented in a mix of brands and designers from Europe as well as Japan & America. Our physical store is located at Regeringsgatan 77, right in the heart of Stockholm.